Development of two source lists for vocabulary selection in augmentative communication: Documentation of the spoken and written classroom vocabulary of third-grade students

Vocabulary selection remains an important component in the development of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for spoken and written communication. Previous research has suggested that a match should exist between vocabulary source lists and the AAC user for whom the vocabulary is intended. In addition, new technology is opening the door to rapid, accurate collection and analysis of spoken and written vocabulary. The general purpose of this project was to collect the academic spoken and written vocabulary of third grade students. This vocabulary was analyzed using new computer software to develop two vocabulary source lists of spoken and written vocabulary. Additionally, the words found in each composite list were compared using the type-token ratio (TTR), word type (structure and content), and commonality of word use measures. A description of the individual words used by the third grade students and results from the comparisons of the words in the two composite lists are discussed in relation to the vocabulary selection process an AAC system user